The Moral of the Story
Cindy Trane Christeson
“Communion is a wonderful time when we come together and we remember
what’s really important.” -- Kenton Beshore
Due to an unusual schedule, I had the privilege of taking Communion in
three different countries in less than two weeks. Each circumstance was
totally unique and the locations and languages were different, but the
meaning was clearly the same.
The first in the two-week period was at the church we worked with in
Cairo called Kasr el Dobara. My husband, Jon, spoke to 150 children in
one room while another of our pastors, named Jim, preached to 1,500
people in the sanctuary for the Sunday night service.
Both Jon’s and Jim’s sermons were translated into Arabic and were
received with great appreciation. Then we partook of Communion together,
which was something that needed no translation and that was definitely
received with deep appreciation.
As the pastors and elders brought the plate of bread, and later the
juice, to each of us, we stood to receive it as if out of reverence for
the value of the gift. Then each person sat down and waited for everybody
to be served until we all took the elements together.
People prayed while waiting. I prayed too, but since I was unsure about
the timing, I admit that I glanced around occasionally. I couldn’t help
but notice that everybody seemed to bow their heads as low as they
possibly could, as if to demonstrate how humble they felt to receive such
a sacrificial gift.
As I looked back, I saw that the people rose, then sat, and then bowed
their heads almost in unison as a sort of a wave silently moving to the
back and the balcony of the church. It seemed that each person was
quietly remembering and thanking God for his love, sacrifice and
forgiveness.
The second time we celebrated the Lord’s supper was at the Garden Tomb in
Jerusalem. We had a guide who did a great job summing up the significance
of the sites.
“We’re pretty sure that this is one of the two possible sites where Jesus
was buried,” he said. “And if it wasn’t this one, it would have been very
similar. But what matters most is the fact that Christ was crucified,
buried, and he rose, and he lives today. And He lives in my heart.” His
words were reinforced by the sign on the Garden Tomb which said, “He is
not here -- for he is risen.”
We had Communion in a garden nearby. It was a profound experience and it
seemed that each one of us quietly remembered and thanked God for his
love, sacrifice and forgiveness.
The week after we were home in California, we had communion at our home
church in our own language. During the service I realized that it doesn’t
matter where I am or what language I speak. In fact, it’s not about me at
all.
It’s about God. It’s about God’s love, sacrifice and forgiveness. It’s
about what God did for me. It’s about what God did for you. It’s also
about what he wants to do with us, through us and for us.
And you can quote me on that.* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach
resident who speaks frequently to parenting groups. She can be reached
via e-mail at cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O. Box
6140-No. 505, Newport Beach 92658.
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